Reading · Berkshire
Aluminium Windows in Reading
Old aluminium or steel windows in Reading that stream with condensation can be replaced with thermally broken frames and modern double or triple glazing.
- RG1
- RG4
- RG30
- Guide from £925
Reading: powder coated aluminium windows
Large aluminium windows that reach low down, such as floor-to-ceiling glazing, need safety glass. In England, Approved Document K treats glazing within 800mm of the floor as a critical location, so those panes are usually toughened or laminated and permanently marked to show their safety classification.
Steel-look aluminium windows reproduce the slim frames and glazing bars of traditional metal windows while adding a thermal break and double glazing. They are often chosen to replace failing original steel windows in 1930s houses, though conservation areas and listed buildings may need consent for the change.
Aluminium frames are usually finished with polyester powder coating, baked on at the factory in a choice of RAL colours and in matt, satin or textured finishes. Dual-colour frames are possible, such as anthracite grey outside and white inside, so the windows can suit both the street and the room.
Modern aluminium window frames contain a thermal break: strips of low-conductivity material, usually polyamide, that separate the inner and outer aluminium. Without it, heat passes straight through the metal. Older aluminium windows made without thermal breaks are a common cause of cold frames and streaming condensation.
What's included
- Fitting, sealing and finishing the reveals neatly
- Written guarantee terms and advice on building regulations sign-off
- Survey, measuring and structural check of each opening
- Removal and disposal of the existing windows
About Reading for this job
- Postcodes covered
- RG1, RG4, RG30 and the surrounding area, including Earley, Henley-on-Thames and Wokingham
- Coast
- Reading is well inland, around 67 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Reading the midwinter sun reaches about 15° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.6 hours of daylight, rising to about 62° and 16.4 hours in midsummer. Slim aluminium frames let more daylight through the same opening. Large south or west-facing panes can overheat rooms, so solar-control glass may help, while north-facing rooms benefit from high light-transmission low-E glass that keeps heat in during short winter days.
- Access and setting
- Large aluminium units are heavy, so city jobs need planned unloading, parking and sometimes lifting gear or extra hands for upper floors. Flats need freeholder consent and planning permission, and conservation areas often control frame colour and glazing bar patterns.
- Rules in England
- Approved Document K requires safety glass in critical locations in England: glazing in doors and in side panels within 300 mm of a door, up to 1500 mm above floor level, and any glazing in walls or partitions up to 800 mm above floor level.
Guide prices in Reading
| Typical job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Casement window, 900 × 1050 mm | £925 – £1,195 |
| Casement window, 1200 × 1200 mm | £1,095 – £1,395 |
| Large window, 1800 × 1500 mm | £1,495 – £1,995 |
| Slimline heritage style, 1200 × 1200 mm | £1,295 – £1,695 |
Get a guide price for your size
Approved Document Q applies to new homes in England, where doors and windows are expected to meet PAS 24 or an equivalent standard. It does not apply to replacements in existing homes, but PAS 24 products are still a sensible choice.
Choosing your aluminium windows
Glass upgrades
Triple glazing, laminated acoustic glass, solar-control coatings or obscure glass, chosen per window to suit the room and elevation.
Steel-look windows
Very slim frames with glazing bars that mimic traditional metal windows, adding thermal performance and double glazing to the classic look.
Tilt and turn
Inward-opening sashes that tilt for secure ventilation or swing open for cleaning and escape, useful for flats and high floors.
Aluminium Windows in Reading: questions
Do I need permission to replace windows with aluminium?
In England, replacing windows on a house with ones of similar appearance usually does not need planning permission, but changing the material or style can matter. Flats and maisonettes lack permitted development rights for windows, and listed buildings, conservation areas and Article 4 directions can require consent. Building regulations apply to replacement windows across the UK, with different detail in each nation.
Are aluminium windows better than uPVC?
Neither is better for every home; they suit different priorities. Aluminium gives slimmer frames, larger glass areas, a hard-wearing powder-coated finish and a wide colour choice. uPVC usually costs less and has chunkier frames. Both can meet the energy standard for replacement windows when specified correctly, so compare the certified ratings, the look you want and the guide prices.
What colours can aluminium windows be?
Aluminium windows can be powder coated in almost any RAL colour, in matt, satin, gloss or textured finishes, and many systems offer a different colour on each side. Anthracite grey, black and white are common choices, but heritage greens, creams and bronze tones are available too. Special colours can extend the manufacturing lead time, which is confirmed with the quote.
How much do aluminium windows cost?
The cost of aluminium windows depends on the number and size of windows, the profile system, how many sashes open, the colour and finish, the glass and the access. They generally cost more than equivalent uPVC because of the material and factory coating. See the guide prices for typical ranges; the written quote fixes the price for your exact specification.
Do you cover Reading for aluminium windows?
Yes. We can quote for aluminium windows across Reading and the surrounding Berkshire area, including postcode districts RG1, RG4 and RG30, and nearby Earley, Henley-on-Thames and Wokingham. Start with your postcode on the quote form and a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.
Get a written quote in Reading
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.